20. [&] - LOONA
LOONA know how to bring the fire. Not only does this album feature some fun grooves like on WOW and Dance On My Own, they bring another level of fire on PTT (Paint The Town). This title track features some great traditional instrumentation and a great build-up. LOONA are another level.
19. Universe - NCT 2021
21 of the 23 NCT boys (Winwin and Lucas are on hiatus) came together once again for another amazing record. This gives fans a chance to experience the group at their full force. This album has some dirty grooves like OK! And New Axis. But there’s also the angelic choir in Beautiful that really brings this album together. NCT really know how to bring it.
18. The Awakening: Written in the Stars - Cravity
Cravity are a group that definitely get better as they release more stuff. Written in the Stars really is their prime. The title track, Gas Pedal, is a noise-pop tune that showcases all their talents. It’s catchy and fun to dance along to. Cravity also featured some of their best b-sides with Veni Vidi Vici and Chinga-Linga. These could have very well been title tracks in their own rights. Cravity are really growing and it will be fun to see where they go in 2022.
17. Must - 2PM
2PM brought the spice this year. Must is a must-listen for any K-Pop fan. Make it, the title track, is smooth and sexy and really was a stand-out track of the year. You pair a smooth bop with a sexy groove that is featured in Champagne and a soft coffee shop track, The Cafe; it’s destined to be a stand-out.
16. Atlantis - Shinee
Shinee’s back! After ¾ of them completed their military service, they decided to gift fans the only way they know how: NEW MUSIC! Atlantis is Shinee at their prime. The iconic Don’t Call Me paired with another amazing title track, Atlantis already makes this album a winner. But then there’s songs like CØDE and Body Rhythm that make this album absolute perfection.
15. I’m Not Cool - HyunA
HyunA is a K-Pop queen and I’m Not Cool really shows it. Firstly there’s the bop of a title track I’m Not Cool that is heavy and dance-y. You’re bound to be going crazy at the end. This is paired well with the lo-fi hip-hop Party, Feel, Love that features the also incredible, DAWN. It’s an EP full of treats. Everyone bow down to HyunA.
14. OK Prologue : Be Ok - CIX
CIX are a group I feel goes unnoticed but Be Ok really shows that they shouldn’t be. This album has the summer dance party hit, WAVE. It’s a perfect title track that introduces the fun danceable moments and also the heavenly moments that this record holds. BAD DREAM features a crazy house beat, ICE has the low-key sexy vibe, Genie in a Bottle has a nice rap break, Here For You is a sweet song for fans, what more could you want? CIX has it all and they demand to be leant your ears.
13. One of a Kind - Monsta X
Monsta X really know how to cater to their sex appeal. One of a Kind is full of sexy bops like on Rotate and the all-English, Secrets. But the true stand-out track is the title track, Gambler. It’s definitely one of their best title tracks as it really showcases each member's skills from the raps down to the choreography. One of a Kind is Monsta X at their best.
12. Your Choice - Seventeen
Seventeen have been working hard on carving out a more mature sound for a couple of years. This year was the year I feel like they really cracked it. Your Choice is Seventeen at their best. Ready to Love features a catchy chorus and incredible vocals that are paired with a groovy instrumental. Then you have the units shining on their respective tracks: Gam3 Boi for rap line, Wave for performance unit, Same dream, same mind, same night for vocal unit. These songs really showcase what each member can do. It also really showcases how much each of them have grown.
11. Taste of Love - Twice
Taste of Love was meant to be a hit! Alcohol-free was impossible to escape for the month after it came out. Everyone was singing and dancing along to the catchy and groovy chorus. It’s a perfect title track. The groove continued throughout the record too with songs like Conversation and Baby Blue Love. It’s a perfect album for the summer or when you need a low-key chill. It’s just a fun record.
10. Breaking Dawn - The Boyz
The Boyz are one of the groups that had a stand out year in my book. They were a group that was hard to pick the best release because it was all so great. Breaking Dawn, though, proves to be a large stand-out. This full-length project has some of the sexiest grooves and synths one was to hear this year. There were the sexy danceable moments like the title, Breaking Dawn, and Prism that features a great house beat. There were the crazy rap moments like on Kiss Me If You Can. Then there’s the vocals shining like on Flag and Hush. This album is a whole package.
9. Crazy In Love - ITZY
It was impossible to not hear ITZY at all this year. There was their hit, mafia in the morning and then they followed up with their album, Crazy in Love that is full of insane hits. Loco took over the K-pop sphere for it’s fun and crazy beat. Then there’s Swipe that will definitely get stuck in your head instantly. There’s more fire on this album too like with the hip-hop heavy #twenty, and the summer bop Chillin’ Chillin’. Crazy in Love really shows ITZY is really taking over the world.
8. No Easy - Stray Kids
Stray Kids seem to be becoming more and more popular as we speak and they have the music to back up why. No Easy features their signature noise-pop sound and heavy raps. Thunderous is exactly that with god-level raps and a wild chorus. There’s also Domino, Cheese, and The View that have some wonderful drops and catchy lyrics. Half of this album is destined to end up in a playlist if yours.
7. VOICE: The future is now - Victon
Victon opened the year strongly with this album. VOICE was bound to make it in the top 10 at the end of the year because of how insane this record is. There were stand out rap moments like in What I Said and Flip That Coin. But there were also some nice vocal moments like in Unpredictable and Mirror. This album really put Victon on the map and it’s not to be missed out on. It’s full of hits and shows Victon are meant to shine.
6. Planet Nine: Alter Ego - ONEWE
ONEWE brought the fire and emotion this year with Planet Nine. This album had some fun bops (Veronica and LOGO) but also some stand-out emotional moments (Aurora and title, Rain to Be). ONEWE proved that they don’t deserve to be slept on. These guys have some great instrumentation and beautiful lyricism. They are definitely one of the best K-bands to ever grace the Korean music industry and this album really proves it. Give this album a spin you won’t regret it.
5. VAMOS - Omega X
Omega X topped the best debuts of the year and this EP really shows why. This EP showcased their hard rapping on songs like the title, Vamos, and killer b-side Omega X. But then there is the closer, Younger, that really showcases their softer side thay features a strong vocal line. It’s a break out EP that shows these guys will go far in 2022.
4. Zero: Fever Pt 2 - Ateez
Ateez had yet another breakout year that it was insanely hard to pick what album of theirs to use as the best of the year. Fever Pt 2, though, was an absolute stand out from the competition. Fireworks was an instant hit with it’s crazy choreo and catchy lyrics. This song is immediately followed up by the aggressive hip-hop banger The Leaders. Here, they declare themselves a stand-out in the K-Pop world and they’re right. Then there’s the magical b-side Take Me Home that features some nostalgic 80s synths, heavenly vocals, and a saxophone solo. This album really showcased what ATEEZ do best and it really carried over for the rest of their year.
3. The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape - TXT
TXT have always been known for their emo lyricism but this year they really took it to the next level. The Chaos Chapter features some of their greatest work to date. This album has the emo songs to scream at the top of your lungs, 0x1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You) and Loser=Lover. Then there’s the aggressive Frost contrasted with the groovy Magic, and softer Anti-Romantic. It’s an album that showcases TXT’s growth into a more mature sound. It will be interesting to see where they go with it in 2022.
2. Lucky Man - Bobby
This album was a stand out from the time it was released in January. Bobby stepped out of his zone and decided on top of showing his crazy rapping and unique vocals, he wanted to also tell a story. It’s a wild ride with the opener U Mad and party hits like No Time to softer, more-intimate b-sides like Your Soul Your Body and Lilac. It’s an album that definitely got swept under the rug this year but it’s one that is to not be forgotten. Bobby’s rapping is at its prime and his vocals actually shine. It’s cohesive and something different. No one made an album like he did this year.
1. Bad Love - Key
All hail synth-pop. The year was going strong with Lucky Man reigning supreme as the top album of the year. Then, Shinee’s own, Key, came out of the woodwork with the 80s, retro-future inspired, Bad Love. This album was a hit the minute I heard the opening notes in Bad Love. Even though it only spans 6 tracks, Bad Love is cohesive, fun, emotional, and more all in 20 minutes. The title, Bad Love, features beautiful vocals and a sound that feels like you walked from a time machine. Then there’s the fun dance songs, Yellow Tape and Helium that are destined to be stuck in your head and heart. Key also knows how to tug on your heart strings with the nostalgic Eighteen (End of My World). This album is truly perfection at every turn. Key knows how to sing, how to rap, and how to make a fun concept. This album is to not go unnoticed for sure.
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